Multiple material piping component

ABSTRACT

The piping component is comprised in part of a metal housing that is positionable with a metal pipe. The metal housing forms an opening in which a piping component body is inserted. The body of the piping component can be fastened to the metal housing an epoxy adhesive, a set screw connection, a threaded connection, press fit connection, a key connection or a pin connection or a combination of these connections. The body is comprised of a plastic or a ceramic, which is less expensive than metal and facilitates forming, including machining or molding, while maintaining its structural integrity in a hostile fluid environment, such as in oil or gas. Piping components such as flowmeters, flow conditioners, small volume provers, static mixers, samplers, and valves are contemplated for use with these multiple materials.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/732,622 filed on Apr. 4, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

N/A

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to piping components for use with fluids in pipes. Particularly, this invention relates to piping components for use with fluids in piping in the oil, gas, petroleum and chemical industries.

2. Description of the Related Art

Piping used in the oil gas, petroleum and chemical industries are regulated in part by the Department of Transportation (“DOT”). In addition, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (“ASME”) provides standards associated with oil and gas facilities.

For example, pipes carrying hazardous liquids such as hydrocarbons are regulated by DOT Title 49 C.F.R. §195. This regulation states that piping and all associated connections be comprised of steel. This includes valves, fittings, branch connections, closures, flange connections, station piping, and other fabricated assemblies. Section 192 of Title 49 of the DOT Federal Regulations, which applies to all other piping for fluids, also requires that piping and all associated connections be comprised of steel if pressurized over 100 psig. In addition, ASME standards require all steel connections in an oil, gas, petroleum and/or chemical environment. Thus, DOT regulations and ASME standards require piping to have all steel containment when transporting hazardous liquids and carbon dioxide and/or transporting fluids that are pressurized over 100 psig.

Currently, most piping components have been comprised of all-steel, with the exception of wearing components, such as filters, gaskets and other sealing members. Steel has traditionally been used to comply with DOT regulations and ASME standards, as steel maintains its structural integrity in an environment that is typically corrosive and/or degrading in nature. However, the all-steel design of piping components make the manufacturing costs expensive.

For example, an all-steel profile plate is proposed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,495,872 and 5,529,093. The same patents also disclose an anti-swirl device fabricated from all steel. While both the profile plate and anti-swirl device are effective piping components, they are expensive to manufacture.

Other examples of piping components that have traditionally been comprised of steel include flowmeters, such as ultrasonic flowmeters, orifice flowmeters and turbine flowmeters; flow nozzles; meter tubes; venturi flowmeters; and other products such as those distributed by Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc. of Houston, Tex. Valves such as gate valves, ball valves, check valves, globe valves, wafer valves, butterfly valves and control valves have been primarily comprised of steel. Also, piping components, such as static mixers, several of which are proposed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,034,965, 4,072,296, 4,093,188, 4,314,974, 4,461,579, 4,497,751, 4,498,786, 4,600,544 and 4,806.288; small volume provers, several of which are proposed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,421,360, 3,673,851, 3,877,287, 4,152,922, 4,627,267 and 4,649,734; and samplers, several of which are proposed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,307,620, 4,390,957, 4,744,244, 4,744,255, 4,820,990, 4,926,674 and 5,129,267 preferably have a steel construction for the durable non-wearing components. These piping components and many other piping are expensive to manufacture due to their steel construction. However, the steel construction for durable non-wearing components was traditionally required to comply with ASME standards and DOT regulations so that the component holds up to the hostile fluid environment in the oil, gas, petroleum and chemical industries. Other industries have proposed devices of different materials. For example, the water industry uses flow conditioners fabricated from polypropylene. In yet another industry, U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,963 proposes a flow laminarization device to improve the performance of turbochargers, which emphasizes a device made from one material, preferably plastic. While, an all plastic device, such as these, would be more cost effective than the current all steel flow conditioners, it would not be acceptable in the oil, gas, petroleum and chemical industries because it would not meet DOT regulations, which require steel containment.

In yet another industry, the onboard marine vessel industry, a two material device has been developed to throttle fluid flow. U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,941 proposes a cascade orificial resistive device (“CORD”), which is comprised of a hollow metal housing with multiple elastomeric CORD plates mounted within the body. While a two material device would be more cost effective than an all-steel piping component, the proposed cord device is not fabricated to operate in the hostile fluid environment of the oil, gas, petroleum and chemical industries.

The above discussed U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,421,360; 3,673,851; 3,877,287; 4,034,965; 4,072,296; 4,093,188; 4,152,922; 4,307,620; 4,314,974; 4,390,957; 4,461,579; 4,497,751; 4,498,786; 4,600,544; 4,627,267; 4,649,734; 4,744,244; 4,744,255; 4,806,288; 4,820,990; 4,926,674; 5,129,267; 5,327,941; 5,495,872; 5,529,093; and 7,089,963 are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes in their entirety.

It would be desirable to provide low cost piping components that both comply with DOT regulations, and ASME standards, as well as withstand the hostile fluid environment in the oil, gas, petroleum and chemical industries.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the described opportunities for improvement in the oil, gas, petroleum and chemical industries, this invention provides low cost piping components that comply with DOT regulations and ASME standards, as well as withstand the hostile fluid environment of the oil, gas, petroleum and chemical industries.

The piping component according to this invention is comprised in part of a steel housing that can be positioned with a steel piping. The steel housing of the invention serves to provide the continuous metal connection required by DOT regulations and ASME standards. The steel housing can be a flange, a ring, a casing, or a combination of these items that form an opening in which a piping component body is inserted, at least in part.

The piping component body is comprised of non-steel, or a combination of steel and non-steel parts. Ideally, the body is comprised of plastic, which is less expensive and facilitates forming, including machining or molding while maintaining its structural integrity in a hostile fluid environment, such as in oil, gas, petroleum or chemicals. Alternatively, ceramic could be used to fabricate the body.

Because plastic is easily formed, the bodies of various piping components can be formed in new and different shapes that previously could not be economically performed due to the limitations of working with metal. For example, the upstream and/or downstream sides of the bodies of plastic flow conditioners can be formed into concave or convex profiles with or without steps. It is contemplated that many piping component bodies will be able to take on different shapes and configurations than the current standard designs, because plastic can be formed easier and at a reduced cost.

It is further contemplated that piping components such as flowmeters, flow conditioners, turbine meters, flow nozzles, venturi meters, small volume provers, static mixers, samplers, and valves, which have preferably been made from steel, with the exception of wearing components, could now substitute plastic components for some of the metal components.

One embodiment of a piping component includes connecting the plastic body of the piping component to a steel ring so that the plastic body of the piping component extends into the steel pipe thereby complying with DOT regulations and ASME standards. Another embodiment of the piping component includes fastening the plastic body directly to the steel piping.

It is contemplated that the plastic body of the piping component can be fastened to the metal, such as steel, housing an adhesive, a set screw connection, a threaded connection, press or compression fit connection, a key connection or a pin connection or a combination of these connections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained with the following detailed description of the various disclosed embodiments in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flow conditioner profile plate according to one embodiment of the invention having a plastic body positioned in a steel housing or ring.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a threaded connection between the plastic body of a piping component and the steel housing.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a threaded connection between the plastic body of a piping component and the steel housing, similar to FIG. 3, but with an extended threaded hub.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a set screw connection between the plastic body of a piping component and the steel housing.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the set screw connection shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a radial set screw connection between the plastic body of a piping component and the steel housing.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the radial set screw connection, as shown in FIG. 7, with the set screw shown in phantom view.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a snap ring connection between the plastic body of a piping component and the steel housing.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the snap ring connection as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a key connection between the plastic body of a piping component and the steel housing.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the key connection as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of an adhesive connection between the plastic body of a piping component and the steel housing.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the adhesive connection as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a piping component positioned between piping flanges.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 15, of a piping component positioned between recesses in piping flanges using a plurality of bolts and sealed by a gasket.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 16, of a piping component positioned between pipe flanges using a metal-to-metal seal instead of a gasket.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a piping component with a concave downstream face.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a piping component with a convex downstream face.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a piping component with a concave step downstream face.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, of a piping component with a convex step downstream face.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of a flow conditioner piping component positioned between an anti-swirl device and a measuring device.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the flow conditioner piping component taken along lines 23-23 of FIG. 22, with a portion of the flow conditioner cut away to show a set screw connection.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a piping component body connected to a steel pipe using a roll pin.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a piping component body connected to a steel pipe using a set screw that contacts a metal insert positioned within the plastic piping component body.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a piping component body connected to a steel pipe using a set screw that is threaded with a casing positioned in the plastic piping component body.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of a venturi nozzle positioned between a measuring device and a venturi flowmeter according to one embodiment of the invention wherein the venturi flowmeter and nozzle having a plastic body positioned in a steel housing.

FIG. 28 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the flow nozzle of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of a small volume prover according to one embodiment of the invention having an internal plastic body radially positioned about the plastic valve both positioned in a steel housing.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a flow conditioner according to one embodiment of the invention having a plastic body comprised of a plurality of equidistant spaced vanes positionable in a steel housing, such as shown in FIG. 22, the outline of which is shown in phantom view.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a flow conditioner according to one embodiment of the invention having a plurality of honeycomb shaped plastic bodies positionable in a steel housing, such as shown in FIG. 22, the outline of which is shown in phantom view.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a flow conditioner according to one embodiment of the invention having a plastic body comprising a bundle of tubes positionable in a steel housing, such as shown in FIG. 22, the outline of which is shown in phantom view.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view of a sampler according to one embodiment of the invention having a plastic body threadedly positioned with a metal housing.

FIG. 34 is a plan sectional view of a butterfly valve according to one embodiment of the invention having a plastic valve body positioned in a metal housing.

FIG. 35 is a sectional view of a turbine flowmeter according to one embodiment of the invention having a plastic body positioned in a metal housing.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view of a static mixer according to one embodiment of the invention wherein the plastic body is positioned within a metal housing.

FIG. 37 is a sectional view of another static mixer according to one embodiment of the invention wherein the plastic body is positionable within a metal housing, such as shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a sectional view of a flow conditioner according to one embodiment of the invention wherein the insertion sleeve or plastic body comprises plastic flaps and fins wherein the body is epoxied to a steel housing or spool shown in phantom view.

FIG. 39 is a section view taken along lines 39-39 of the flow conditioner body of FIG. 38 to better show the plurality of plastic fins.

FIG. 40 is a section view taken along lines 40-40 of the flow conditioner body of FIG. 38 to better show the plastic flaps.

FIG. 41 is a sectional view of a flow conditioner according to one embodiment of the invention wherein the plastic body comprises plastic flaps and fins and is epoxied to a steel housing or spool.

FIG. 42 is a sectional view of a flowmeter according to one embodiment of the invention wherein an all plastic flow conditioner is held in place in the steel piping by an elongated plastic body positioned about an assembly comprising a plastic rotor, multiple plastic stators, and a shaft with bearings.

FIG. 43 is a front elevational view of the plastic flow conditioner in FIG. 42 held in place in the steel piping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present invention provides a low cost piping component that complies with DOT regulations and ASME standards, as well as withstands the hostile fluid environment in the piping systems of the oil, gas, petroleum and chemical industries along with a method for manufacturing the piping component.

The piping component according to the present invention is comprised in part of a metal, such as steel, to fabricate a housing to be positioned with steel piping. The steel housing forms an opening in which the piping component body is positioned. The piping component body could be fabricated from plastic or ceramic or a combination of plastic or ceramic and metal. The plastic and ceramic should have properties that are compatible with the hostile oil, gas, petroleum and chemical environments. An exemplary ceramic for use in these environments is partially stabilized zirconia sold under the trademark NILCRA by ICI Australia Operations Proprietary Limited of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. An exemplary thermoplastic for use in the oil, gas, petroleum and chemical industries is NORYL PPX® Resin PPX7200, a synthetic thermoplastic resin distributed by GE Plastics. NORYL PPX is a federally registered trademark of the General Electric Company of Schenectady, New York. The following table, last updated on Feb. 7, 2006 by GE Plastics, describes the advantageous properties of this resin:

NORYL PPX ® Resin PPX7200 PP + PPE + PS. Improved chemical resistance and surface aesthetics in injection molded applications. NSF61-capable. UL-94 HB listed. TYPICAL PROPERTIES¹ TYPICAL VALUE UNIT STANDARD MECHANICAL Tensile Stress, yld, Type I, 2.0 in/min 4800 psi ASTM D 638 Tensile Stress, brk, Type I, 2.0 in/min 3900 psi ASTM D 638 Tensile Strain, yld, Type I, 2.0 in/min 10 % ASTM D 638 Tensile Strain, brk, Type I, 2.0 in/min 130 % ASTM D 638 Tensile Modulus, 2.0 in/min 179000 psi ASTM D 638 Flexural Stress, yld, 0.05 in/min, 2 inch span 7000 psi ASTM D 790 Flexural Modulus, 0.05 in/min, 2 inch span 209000 psi ASTM D 790 Tensile Stress, yield, 50 mm/min 34 MPa ISO 527 Tensile Stress, break, 50 mm/min 28 MPa ISO 527 Tensile Strain, yield, 50 mm/min 8.2 % ISO 527 Tensile Strain, break, 50 mm/min 115 % ISO 527 Tensile Modulus, 1 mm/min 1670 MPa ISO 527 Flexural Stress, yield, 2 mm/min 48 MPa ISO 178 Flexural Modulus, 2 mm/min 1600 MPa ISO 178 IMPACT Izod Impact, unnotched, 73° F. 27 ft-lb/in ASTM D 4812 Izod Impact, notched, 73° F. 2.80 ft-lb/in ASTM D 256 Izod Impact, notched, −22° F. 0 ft-lb/in ASTM D 256 Instrumented Impact Total Energy, 73° F. 319 in-lb ASTM D 3763 Izod Impact, unnotched 80 * 10 * 4 +23° C. NB kJ/m² ISO 180/1U Izod Impact, unnotched 80 * 10 * 4 −30° C. NB kJ/m² ISO 180/1U Izod Impact, notched 80 * 10 * 4 +23° C. 14 kJ/m² ISO 180/1A Izod Impact, notched 80 * 10 * 4 −30° C. 8 kJ/m² ISO 180/1A Izod Impact, notched 80 * 10 * 4 −30° C. 8 kJ/m² ISO 180/1A Charpy 23° C., V-notch Edge wise 80 * 10 * 4 12 kJ/m² ISO 179/1eA sp = 62 mm Charpy −30° C., V-notch Edge wise 80 * 10 * 4 6 kJ/m² ISO 1791/eA sp = 62 mm Charpy 23° C., Unnotch Edge wise 80 * 10 * 4 NB kJlm² ISO 179/1eU sp = 62 mm Charpy −30° C., Unnotch Edge wise 80 * 10 * 4 80 kJ/m² ISO 179/1eU sp = 62 mm THERMAL Vicat Softening Temp, Rate B/50 295 ° F. ASTM D 1525 HDT, 66 psi, 0.125″, unannealed 230 ° F. ASTM D 648 HDT, 264 psi, 0.125″, unannealed 160 ° F. ASTM D 648 CTE, flow, −40° F. to 100° F. 5.50E−05 1/° F. ASTM E 831 CTE, xflow, −40° F. to 100° F. 6.00E−05 1/° F. ASTM E 831 CTE, −40° C. to 40° C., flow 9.90E−05 1i° C. ISO 11359-2 CTE, −40° C. to 40° C., xflow 1.08E−04 1/° C. ISO 11359-2 Ball Pressure Test, 75° C. +/− 2° C. — IEC 60695-10-2 Vicat Softening Temp, Rate B/50 103 ° C. ISO 306 Vicat Softening Temp, Rate B/120 107 ° C. ISO 306 HDT/Af, 1.8 MPa Flatw 80 * 10 * 4 sp = 64 mm 73 ° C. ISO 75/Af PHYSICAL Specific Gravity 0.99 — ASTM D 792 Mold Shrinkage, flow, 0.125″ 0.6-0.8 % GE Method Mold Shrinkage, xflow, 0.125″ 0.6-0.8 % GE Method Melt Flow Rate, 260° C./5.0 kgf 16 g/10 min ASTM D 1238 Density 0.03 lb/in³ ISO 1183 Water Absorption, equilibrium, 73° F. 0.05 % ISO 62 Moisture Absorption (23° C./50% RH) 0.02 % ISO 62 Melt Volume Rate, MVR at 260° C./5.0 kg 18 cm³/10 min ISO 1133 PROCESSING PARAMETERS TYPICAL VALUE UNIT Injection Molding Drying Temperature 140-150 ° F. Drying Time 2-4 Hrs Drying Time (Cumulative) 8 Hrs Maximum Moisture Content 0.02 % Melt Temperature 500-550 ° F. Nozzle Temperature 500-550 ° F. Front - Zone 3 Temperature 480-550 ° F. Middle - Zone 2 Temperature 460-540 ° F. Rear - Zone I Temperature 440-530 ° F. Mold Temperature  90-120 ° F. Back Pressure  50-100 Psi Screw Speed  20-100 Rpm Shot to Cylinder Size 30-70 % Vent Depth 0.0015-0.002  in ¹Typical values only. Variations within normal tolerances are possible for various colours. All values are measured at least after 48 hours storage at 230 C./50% relative humidity. All properties, expect the melt volume rate are measured on injection moulded samples. All samples are prepared according to ISO 294. ²Only typical data for material selection purposes. Not to be used for part or tool design. ³This rating is not intended to reflect hazards presented by this or any other material under actual fire conditions. ⁴Own measurement according to UL.

The piping component could be any piping component where the internal metal body could be replaced with plastic or ceramic, or plastic or ceramic and metal body. For example, the piping component could be a flow conditioner, generally indicated as 10, in FIG. 1. The flow conditioner 10 includes a plastic profile body 14 having a plurality of apertures 15 fastened to an external steel housing 12 with a compression fit. In this embodiment the housing 12 could be heated pressed together with the body 14 and then allowed to cool. While the steel housing 12 in FIG. 1 is comprised of a ring, the steel housing could be any type of flange, casing, piping or a combination of these items. FIG. 2 shows the body 14 engaging a blocking shoulder 16 on the housing 12 to block further movement of the plastic profile body 14 during the compression fit.

FIGS. 3 through 14 show other ways to fasten a body to a housing. However, it is contemplated that there could be other ways to fasten the two parts together. In addition, more than one type of fastening could be used to fasten the body to the housing.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a threaded connection between the body 14A, 14B of respective flow conditioner 10A, 10B and its respective steel housing 12A, 12B. FIG. 3 shows a threaded connection 18 between the body 14A and steel housing 12A. FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but shows an extended threaded connection 20 using a hub 21.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a set screw 22 between the body 14C of flow conditioner 10C and steel housing 12C. A threaded bore in the steel housing 12C receives set screw 22 that engages body 14C to fasten the body 14C to the steel housing 12C.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a radial set screw 24 for fastening the body 14D of flow conditioner 10D to the steel housing 12D. A radial threaded bore in the steel housing 12D receives set screw 24 in the steel housing 12D of the piping component to apply a compression force on the body 14D of the piping component.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a snap ring 26 for fastening the body 14E of flow conditioner 10E to the steel housing 12E. FIG. 9 shows snap ring 26 fastening the body 14E to the steel housing 12E when received in groove 26A in the body 14E.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a key 28 for fastening the body 14F of flow conditioner 10F to the steel housing 12F. Key 28 is slid into slot 28A in the body 14F and housing 12F to prevent rotation between the body 14F and the steel housing 12F.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the use of an adhesive 30 for fastening the body 14G of flow conditioner 10G to the steel housing 12G. The embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 without the bolt hole 32 has been actually reduced to practice and was manufactured for at least 30% less than the all-steel flow conditioner. The steel housing or ring 12G has equidistant bolt holes, such as bolt hole 32, as shown in FIG. 14. An exemplary epoxy adhesive is the SCOTCH-WELD® epoxy adhesive. Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn. reports the SCOTCH-WELD® Epoxy Adhesive DP420, is a high performance, two-part epoxy adhesive offering outstanding shear and peel adhesion, and very high levels of durability. It features high shear strength, high peel strength, outstanding environmental performance, easy mixing, controlled flow and a 20 minute worklife Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn. further reports the typical cured thermal properties as follows:

Note: The following technical information and data should be considered representative or typical only and should not be used for specification purposes.

SCOTCH-WELD ® Epoxy Product Adhesive DP420 Off-White Physical color Opaque, off-white Shore D Hardness 75-80 Thermal Coefficient of Thermal Below Tg 85 × 10⁻⁶ Expansion Above Tg 147 × 10⁻⁶ (in./in./° C.) Thermal Conductivity 0.104 (btu-ft./ft.²-hr.-° F.) @ 45° C. Electrical Dielectric Strength (ASTM D 149) 690 volts/mil Volume Resistivity (ASTM D 257) 1.3 × 10¹⁴ ohm-cm

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn. reports the typical adhesive performance characteristics as follows:

Substrates and Testing:

-   -   A. Overlap Shear (ASTM D 1002-72)     -   Overlap shear (OLS) strengths were measured on 1 in. wide ½ in.         overlap specimens. These bonds made individually using 1 in.×4         in. pieces of substrate except for aluminum. Two panels 0.063         in. thick, 4 in.×7 in. of 2024T-3 clad aluminum were bonded and         cut into 1 in. wide samples after 24 hours. The thickness of the         bondline was 0.005-0.008 in. All strengths were measured at         73° F. (23° C.).     -   The separation rate of the testing jaws was 0.1 in. per minute         for metals, 2 in. per minute for plastics and 20 in. per minute         for rubbers. The thickness of the substrates were: steel, 0.060         in.; other metals, 0.05-0.064 in.; rubbers, 0.125 in.; plastics,         0.125 in.     -   Epoxy Adhesive Off-White—Stainless steel MEK/abrade/MEK²-4000.     -   B. T-peel (ASTM D 1876-61T)     -   T-peel strengths were measured on 1 in. wide bonds at 73° F.         (23° C.). The testing jaw separation rate was 20 inches per         minute. The substrates were 0.032 in. thick.     -   Epoxy Adhesive DP420 Off-White—Cold Rolled Steel-17-20 mil         bondline Oakite degreased-40—MEK/abrade/MEK-25.     -   C. Other Substrates, Overlap Shear Tested @ 73 F.° (23° C.)     -   Scotch-Weld Epoxy Adhesive DP420 Off-White     -   Surf. Prep. 1: Polycarbonate-400     -   Surf. Prep. 2: Polycarbonate-550     -   D. Environmental Resistance, Aluminum (Etched) Measured by         Overlap Shear Tested @ 73 F.° (23° C.) (PSI)¹ (ASTM D 1002-72)

SCOTCH-WELD ® Epoxy Environment Condition Adhesive DP420 Off-White 73° F. (23° C.)/50% RH 30 d² 5100 Distilled Water 30 d, i³ 4700 Water Vapor 120° F. (49° C.)/100% RH, 30 d 4700 200° F. (93° C.)/100% RH, 14 d 3000 Antifreeze/H₂0 (50/50) 180° F. (82° C.), 30 d, i 4200 Isopropyl Alcohol  73° F. (23° C.), 30 d, i 5300 Methyl Ethyl Ketone  73° F. (23° C.), 30 d, i 4600 Salt Spray (5%)  95° F. (35° C.), 30 d 5100 Skydrol LD-4 150° F. (66° C.), 30 d, i 5400 ¹Data reported are actual values from the lots tested and may be higher than values published elsewhere. ²d = days ³i—immersion

The above SCOTCH-WELD® data was published by 3M Industrial Business—Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division, 3M Center, Building 21-1W-10, 900 Bush Avenue, St. Paul, Minn. 55144-1000, ©3M March, 2004. SCOTCH-WELD is a federally registered trademark of the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn.

FIGS. 15, 16, and 17 illustrate flow conditioner piping component 10, 10G positioned with a steel pipe. FIG. 15 illustrates flow conditioner 10 steel flange 12 between a pair of pipe flanges 34A, 36A of respective steel pipe 34, 36. Bolts, such as bolts 38A, 38B, are spaced equidistant about the pipe flanges 34A, 36A and torqued to ASME standards to hold the flow conditioner 10 between the pipe 34, 36.

FIG. 16 illustrates flow conditioner 10G steel flange 12G set between a pair of flanges 40A, 42A of respective steel pipe 40, 42. Flow conditioner bolts, such as bolts 48A, 48B, are fastened into holes, such as hole 32 shown in FIG. 14, in the recess of downstream pipe flange 40A. In addition, a gasket 46 seals the flanges 40A, 42A. Similar to the FIG. 15, bolts, such as bolts 44A, 44B, are spaced equidistant about the flanges 40A, 42A and torqued to ASME standards.

FIG. 17 illustrates a flow conditioner 10G steel flange 12G with bolts, such as bolts 58A, 58B, that are threaded into a recess in the downstream pipe flange 50A. A metal-to-metal seal 56 seals the pipe flanges 50A, 52A, and bolts, such as bolts 54A, 54B, are spaced equidistant and torqued as directed by ASME standards to join the steel pipe 50, 52.

FIGS. 18, 19, 20, and 21 illustrate ways that body 14H, 14I, 14J and 14K of respective flow conditioner 10H, 10I, 10J, and 10K in rings 12H, 12I, 12J, and 12K can be formed when fabricated from plastic. The direction of fluid flow F is indicated by an arrow on these FIGS. The upstream face 14H′, 14I′, 14J′, and 14K′ on the body of the flow conditioners receive the fluid flow F, and the fluid flow F exits from the respective downstream face 14H″, 14I″, 14J″, and 14K″.

FIG. 18 shows the body 14H with a concave downstream face 14H″. FIG. 19 shows the body 14I with a convex downstream face 14I″. FIG. 20 shows the body 14J having a concave step downstream face 14J″. FIG. 21 shows the body 14K having a convex step downstream face 14K″. While FIGS. 18 to 21 illustrate forming the downstream face, it is contemplated that the upstream face 14H′, 14I′, 14J′, and 14K′ could also be formed in a variety of configurations. Furthermore, while these FIGS. show the body 14H, 14I, 14J, 14K of a flow conditioner piping component, it is contemplated that the bodies of other piping components could also be formed in a variety of configurations because the plastic discovered is relatively inexpensive to form.

FIG. 22 illustrates a system for conditioning fluid. An anti-swirl device 62 piping component is placed upstream in a steel pipe 60 from a flow conditioner 10L having a plurality of apertures 15L and a measurement device 64. An enlarged section view of the flow conditioner 10L in FIG. 23 best shows set screw 66 threaded through an aperture in the steel housing 12L into a recess 68 in plastic body 14L so that the body 14L is fastened to the steel housing 12L of steel pipe 60. The body 14L of FIG. 23 has been actually reduced to practice and was manufactured for at least 50% less than an all-steel body.

FIGS. 24 to 26 illustrate alternative fastening of flow conditioner 10M, 10N, and 10O to steel housing 12M, 12N, and 12O provided by a steel pipe. FIG. 24 shows an aperture through steel housing 12M which aligns with aperture 71 in the flow conditioner 10M body 14M to receive expandable roll pin 70.

Turning to FIG. 25, a threaded aperture 74 in the steel housing 12N of the flow conditioner 10N receives set screw 72. Screw 72 engages metallic support 76 in plastic body 14N to distribute the force applied by screw 72. The flow conditioner 10O in FIG. 26 illustrates a metal casing 80 with inwardly threads positioned in the plastic body 14O. The screw 78 is received through an aperture 79 in the steel housing 12O and threadly engages the casing 80. Other fastening means are contemplated for fastening a flow conditioner into a housing, such as a pipe.

FIG. 27 illustrates several piping components, generally indicated at 88, 82, embodying the present invention to drop the pressure in a piping system. Flow nozzle 88, which is shown in detail in FIG. 28, is positioned between a flow meter 90 and a venturi flowmeter 82. Both the flow nozzle 88 and venturi flowmeter 82 have respective steel casings 12P, 84 and plastic bodies 14P, 86. As best shown in FIG. 28, the flanges 94A, 96A of respective steel pipe 94, 96 hold the steel housing 12P to give the piping system the required DOT continuous steel connection with the plastic body 14P of the flow nozzle 88 within the pipe 94, 96. Other venturi nozzles, such as distributed by Canada Pipeline Accessories of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, are contemplated for use with the multiple materials of the present invention.

FIG. 29 illustrates a small volume prover, generally indicated at 98, according to the present invention wherein the solenoids and hydraulic system, which is collectively the body 14Q, are fabricated from plastic. The body 14Q of the small volume prover 98 is contained within the steel housing 12Q, and operates when the bypass valve 102 is opened to fill the chamber, and the piston assembly 100 having a plastic member 101 is fully extended. When the bypass valve 102 is sealed, fluid flows past the piston assembly 100, and fluid measurement is achieved. Examples of other small volume provers are proposed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,421,360; 3,673,851; 3,877,287; 4,152,922 and 4,627,267.

FIGS. 30 to 32 illustrate flow conditioners 10R, 10S, and 10T having respective bodies 14R, 14S, and 14T extruded or molded from plastic. A pipe, indicated in phantom view 12R, 12S and 12T, is contemplated to encase the plastic bodies 14R, 14S and 14T. In FIG. 30, the body 14R includes a plurality of equidistant spaced vanes 104. In FIG. 31, the body 14S is configured in a honeycomb 106 and in FIG. 32, the body 14S is formed from a bundle of tubes 108. It is contemplated that a variety of other shapes could be fabricated because plastic is inexpensively extruded and/or molded.

FIG. 33 illustrates a sampler 110 piping component, wherein plastic body 14 U is threaded onto the steel casing 12U. The plastic body 14U of the sampler 110 extending from the steel casing 12U replaces the steel components as proposed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,945,770 and 4,403,518, which patents are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference for all purposes. The collection head 112, traditionally fabricated from rubber, provides resiliency, as does elastomer sealing members 114. Sampler 110 illustrates how multiple non-steel materials could be used to fabricate the body of a piping component extending from a pipe. However, it is also envisioned that non-metallic materials, such as plastic and rubber, could also be combined with metallic materials, such as steel, to form the body of piping components.

Yet another embodiment of a piping component according to this invention is a valve 10V shown in FIG. 34. Butterfly valve 10V includes a steel housing 12V which contains a plastic butterfly body 14V that rotates about axial member 118 moved either via actuator or by hand. The body 14V aligns with the opposed elastomer seals 116A, 116B to close the valve 10V. The axial member 118 is fabricated from steel similar to housing 12V to maintain all steel containment per DOT regulations. Other types of valves are contemplated to be comprised of the multiple materials of the present invention.

A turbine flowmeter 10W, illustrated in FIG. 35, includes a plastic flow tube body 14W with plastic propeller or turbine blades 120 mounted on bearings coaxially inside. Magnets 122 could be fastened onto the turbine blades 120 so that angular velocity can be determined from outside the steel housing 12W by a sensor 124. Other types of flowmeters are contemplated to be comprised of the multiple materials of the present invention.

FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate static mixer plates 14X′, 14Y′ piping components. The static mixer 10X in FIG. 36 is mounted within a steel housing 12X while a plurality of semi-elliptical plates 14X′ form the body, generally indicated at 14X, which serve to mix fluid passing through the piping component. FIG. 37 illustrates a plurality of rods 14Y″ threaded through plates 14Y′ to form the body, generally indicated at 14Y. Plastic body 14Y can be positioned within a steel pipe, similar to steel housing 12X in FIG. 36. It is contemplated that the other static mixes proposed in the above identified U.S. patents could be comprised of the multiple materials of the present invention.

Additional piping components include the flow conditioners 10Z, 10AA depicted in FIGS. 38 to 41. Flaps 14Z′ and fins 14Z″ of insertion sleeve or body 14Z can be fastened to the steel housing 12Z using any of the fastening means discussed above. Also, the fins 14AA″ and flaps 14AA′ of the insertion body 14AA can be easily formed from plastic. It is also contemplated that the flaps and fins illustrated in FIGS. 38 to 41 could be fabricated from plastic and fastened directly to the steel housing by any of the fastening means discussed above, including epoxy adhesive.

Yet another piping component includes a flowmeter as shown in FIG. 42 having a flow conditioner, generally indicated at 10BB, having a body 14BB, preferably fabricated from plastic, having apertures 15BB. As best shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the plastic body 14BB is moved through the steel piping 12BB until blocked by shoulder 12BB′. An elongated plastic contoured contraction body 14BB′ is then positioned in the steel piping 12BB. A plastic rotor 130 between plastic stators 128, 132 on a shaft 134 with bearings is positioned with the elongated body 14BB′. A waffle compression ring 126 is bolted by bolts, such as bolts 126A and 126B, to the steel body 12BB. A pick-up coil and preamp 136 is positioned on the steel body 12BB as is known in the industry.

While Faure Herman Meter, Inc. of Houston, Tex. provides an all steel flowmeter similar in configuration to the flowmeter shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, it is contemplated that some or all of the following components, as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, could be fabricated from plastic: body 14BB, elongated body 14BB′, stators 128, 132, and rotor 130.

Methods of Manufacture

Methods of manufacture include machining the steel housing, as is traditional, and fastening the formed non-metallic body into the housing. The non-metallic body, preferably fabricated from the NORYL PPX® Resin PPS7200 disclosed in detail above, is best fabricated by injection molding. However, as size increases over a foot, it may be necessary to machine plastic sheets. The sheet form, preferably fabricated from NORYL PPX® PPX7112 Resin (polyphenylene ether+PS+PP), is distributed by GE Plastics and sold by GE Polymershapes of South Houston, Tex. Yet another contemplated method of manufacturing the plastic body of a piping component is by blow molding.

It is contemplated that the non-metallic body of the piping component may require certain metal parts. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a piping component body with both non-metal and metal parts. It is also foreseeable to have multiple types of non-metal parts, such as plastic, ceramic and rubber, in the piping component.

While as discussed above in detail, it is contemplated that fastening the body to the metal housing could be done in a variety of ways, the SCOTCH-WELD® epoxy adhesive, such as disclosed above in detail, is preferred to fasten the plastic body to the metal housing.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the details of the illustrated apparatus and system, and the construction and the method of operation may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A flow conditioner, comprising: a steel housing defining an opening; and a body fabricated from a non-metal material and positioned at least in part within said steel housing opening; wherein said body having a substantially flat upstream face and a substantially flat downstream face; and wherein said body having a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures extending between said body upstream face and said body downstream face.
 2. The flow conditioner of claim 1, wherein said body positioned with said steel housing by compression fit in which said steel housing heat pressed with said body and then allowed to cool.
 3. The flow conditioner of claim 1, wherein said body positioned with said steel housing with blocking shoulders.
 4. The flow conditioner of claim 1, wherein said non-metal material is a ceramic.
 5. The flow conditioner of claim 1, wherein said non-metal material is a synthetic thermoplastic.
 6. A piping component for conditioning fluid flow for measurement in a steel pipe, comprising: a substantially circular steel ring having a substantially flat ring upstream face and a substantially flat ring downstream face and having a substantially circular opening extending between said ring upstream face and said ring downstream face; and a substantially circular body fabricated from a non-metal material having a body downstream face and a substantially flat body upstream face and sized to be positioned with said ring opening; wherein said body fastened with said ring; and wherein said body having a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures through said body in predetermined locations each in a substantially straight path between said body upstream face and said body downstream face.
 7. The piping component of claim 6, wherein said body fastened with said ring by compression fit in which said ring heat pressed with said body and then allowed to cool.
 8. The piping component of claim 6, wherein said body fastened with said ring with blocking shoulders.
 9. The piping component of claim 6, wherein said body downstream face being substantially flat.
 10. The piping component of claim 6, wherein said non-metal material is a ceramic.
 11. The piping component of claim 6, wherein said non-metal material is a synthetic thermoplastic.
 12. A piping system, comprising: a steel pipe; and a flow conditioner fastened directly with said steel pipe and fabricated from a non-metal material that can withstand a fluid in said steel pipe and having a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures in predetermined locations.
 13. The piping system of claim 12, wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a screw.
 14. The piping system of claim 12, wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a pin.
 15. The piping system of claim 12, wherein said flow conditioner having a substantially flat upstream face.
 16. The piping system of claim 15, wherein said flow conditioner having a substantially flat downstream face.
 17. The piping system of claim 12, wherein said non-metal material is a ceramic.
 18. The piping system of claim 12, wherein said non-metal material is a synthetic thermoplastic.
 19. A piping system, comprising: a steel pipe; and a flow conditioner encased in said steel pipe and fabricated from a non-metal material that can withstand a fluid in said steel pipe.
 20. The piping system of claim 19, wherein said flow conditioner comprising a plurality of circular tubes.
 21. The piping system of claim 19, wherein said flow conditioner comprising equidistant spaced vanes extending between a longitudinal centerline of said steel pipe and the interior surface of said pipe.
 22. The piping system of claim 19, wherein said flow conditioner comprising a plurality of hexagonal tubes.
 23. The piping system of claim 19, wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a screw.
 24. The piping system of claim 19, wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a pin.
 25. A flow conditioner, comprising: a steel housing; a plurality of flaps and fins disposed in said steel housing and fabricated from a non-metal material.
 26. The flow conditioner of claim 25, wherein at least one flap and one fin of said plurality of flaps and fins fastened directly to said steel housing with an epoxy adhesive.
 27. The flow conditioner of claim 25, wherein at least one flap and one fin of said plurality of flaps and fins fastened directly to said steel housing with screws.
 28. The flow conditioner of claim 25, wherein said non-metal material is a ceramic.
 29. The flow conditioner of claim 25, wherein said non-metal material is a synthetic thermoplastic.
 30. The flow conditioner of claim 25, further comprising a body fastened directly to said steel housing, wherein said plurality of flaps and fins fastened directly to said body.
 31. The flow conditioner of claim 30, wherein said body fabricated from a non-metal material.
 32. A system for conditioning fluid, comprising: a steel pipe for transporting a moving fluid; a measurement device disposed in said steel pipe; and a flow conditioner disposed in said steel pipe upstream of said measurement device.
 33. The system of claim 32, wherein said flow conditioner comprising a steel housing defining an opening, and a body fabricated from a non-metal material and positioned at least in part within said steel housing opening.
 34. The system of claim 33, wherein said body having a substantially flat upstream face and a substantially flat downstream face and a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures extending between said body upstream face and said body downstream face.
 35. The system of claim 34, wherein said body connected to said steel housing by compression fit in which said steel housing heat pressed with said body and then allowed to cool.
 36. The system of claim 34, wherein said body positioned with said steel housing with blocking shoulders.
 37. The system of claim 34, wherein said measurement device comprising a flow meter.
 38. The system of claim 32, wherein said flow conditioner fastened directly with said steel pipe and fabricated from a non-metal material that can withstand the fluid in said steel pipe and having a plurality of substantially circular spaced apart apertures in predetermined locations.
 39. The system of claim 38, wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a screw.
 40. The system of claim 38, wherein said flow conditioner fastened with said steel pipe with a pin.
 41. The system of claim 38, wherein said flow conditioner having a substantially flat upstream face. 